# How can a would-be entrepreneur rent an apartment? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 25, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191 "2015-07-25T22:24:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/1 "2015-07-25T22:24:32Z")
My programming contract is coming to an end, and I’ve saved up a lot of money. Rather than take another contract, I’d like to launch a business and work on projects of my own. I’m currently living in an area with a very high cost of living. I’d like to move to a cheaper city, but as an entrepreneur, I won’t be able to verify my monthly income. I’d be happy to prepay the rent, but the landlords I’ve spoken to won’t consider it. I’ve been a model tenant and my credit history is excellent. Am I really trapped unless I find another job? ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/2 "2015-07-25T22:32:06Z")
Find a huge apartment complex with a large, professional management team. I found that they would waive the proof-of-continuing employment bullshit in exchange for a large cash deposit. But - if you ever want to buy a house: Become an employee of a large, stable company until the ink on the mortgage is dry. Otherwise, you will need to show the books for the last X years of you business to be considered. And start-up are notorious for showing miserable first couple of years of profit. I stayed with a consulting company until I had the mortgage - then hung out my shingle. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/3 "2015-07-25T22:43:32Z")
With good credit, first and last months rent, you can rent any unit we have. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/4 "2015-07-25T22:45:24Z")
Interesting. Maybe I’ve just been unlucky so far. I’ll keep looking. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/5 "2015-07-25T22:59:15Z")
It’s illegal to take more than 2 months rent (i.e. 1 month security deposit and last month rent) in many, if not most states. You should not have much trouble finding a place that will cater to your needs though; many places offer short term stay options. Barring that, if you have a large chunk of cash there are ways that some places can work with that - such as setting up an escrow like account or something of the sort - I was in this situation a while back and I visited several apartments, but only one had this option. We did not choose that one, we went with a different place that only cared about credit and references as opposed to a strict income threshold; so I do not remember the details of what the other place was proposing; but you may have to visit many complexes. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-would-be-entrepreneur-rent-an-apartment/726191/6 "2015-07-26T03:35:37Z")
I manage a complex in California, we take 6 months rent in advance all the time. We do this in leu of steady employment on occasion. I should mention this is an upscale, gated community.